Billy M. Boatman

BILLY M. BOATMAN

Billy M. Boatman, 84, of Bainbridge died Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at home. He was born on August 13, 1927 in Highland County, the son of the late Joseph M. "Paddy" and Anna Ridgway Boatman. On October 26, 1974 he married the former Carolyn "Katy" Allen who survives.

Also surviving are four children; Mike Boatman of Savannah, GA, Martha Knisley of Raleigh, NC, Jennifer Taylor of Denver, NC, Betsy Boatman of West Hartford, CT; six grandchildren including Beth Ann Boatman, Carrie Rae Boatman, Abby Brooks Fitzgerald, Ben Brooks, Caroline Taylor, Noah Taylor; and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carolyn Boatman Brooks and only sibling, Mary Elizabeth Boatman Duff.

Bill was a 1945 graduate of Leesburg High School. Soon after he was drafted into the Army. On August 18, 1947 he purchased a small grocery store in Highland, and began manufacturing dog collars in a back room. He strived to provide those hunting with dogs their collars at reasonable prices including FREE nameplates. He was involved in many ventures and adventures during the span of his 64 year business career.

In 1960, he purchased Dog Supply House, a small flashlight company in Detroit, which enabled Bill Boatman & Co. to offer more goods to the hunter.

He was an avid baseball fan and followed the Cincinnati Reds. With his passion for baseball, Bill and several others built Valley Vista Sports Complex which instilled the love of the game in many young athletes.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the ANDERSON-EBRIGHT FUNERAL HOME, Greenfield OH. Burial will follow in Fall Creek Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, November 18, 2011 from 4 to 8 pm. Those wishing to sign his online Book of Memories may do so at www.ebrightfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave #310, White Plains NY 10605, as he considered it a top-notch organization that uses funds wisely. He would also suggest supporting your local hunting club as many are experiencing lower than normal membership rates which in turn creates low "coffers."